Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje interim title fight official for UFC 249 on April 18

Tony Ferguson will try to capture his second interim 155-pound title when he collides with No. 4-ranked lightweight contender Justin Gaethje in the upcoming UFC 249 pay-per-view (PPV) main event on April 18 in a city and venue to be announced.

That’s according to UFC President Dana White.

“El Cucuy” was originally scheduled to face current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in Brooklyn, New York, but the coronavirus pandemic shut down most of the country and kept “The Eagle” quarantined in Russia until further notice.

Ferguson (25-3) has not competed since his technical knockout victory over Donald Cerrone back in June 2019. Gaethje (21-2) is also coming off a “Cowboy” win and has now captured three in a row, all by way of violent knockout.

Even if coronavirus is brought under control, Nurmagomedov is heading into Ramadan and likely sidelined until August, which means the promotion could slot the UFC 249 winner against Conor McGregor if “Notorious” is available between now and then.

Stay tuned.